, 1887-09-18

Jul bnO SuIIo LNOTJu Ol buRlAuu. TOT
ten years he continued his work at Man
chester, and then came to his present
charge. He had not been at the old
Poultry chapel but six years when the
present edlfce on Holborn viaduct was be-
gun, and, in 1874, the great CITY temple
was occupied. 1t is now quite free from
debt, and is regarded as the most pros.
porous OF English churches.
Away UP in his lofty pulpit, DR.. Parker
becomes a fine picture of a church orator
for contemplation. Clothed in his flowing
black robe, tall, and with his massive head
thrown back, his dark hair. standing out
like a somber nimbus about his large mo-
bile face, capable of quick and complete
change of expression, his personal appear
ance is most interesting, and adds greatly
to the impressiveness of his discourse.
He neither delivers a lecture nor gives q
familiar talk, but from a few notes before
him, he furnishes an extemporaneous ser
mon. Each sentence taken by itself is a
LUsTRoUs JEWEL OF THOUGHT,
which the simplest understanding can
comprehend and tho most analytic mind
value for its comprehensive strength. His
voice unites a wonderfully sympathetic
quality with great power and resonance,
and it is as perfectly heard in the most
remote portions of the vast auditorium,
in low and pathetic passages, as in the
most energetic exhortations. His ges
lures are simple, but always graceful, as
sisting his words in their intellectually
penetratiVe quality by always being in
perfect harmony with them. AS an in
stance of this, which came to my notice in
one of his London discourses. he said:
Il have no patience with poor, little
Unite argument concerning the infinite
this taking of God to pieces by some
blasphemous analysis; and | have yet to
ind the man who can answer what is in
this: Once L was blind, now | see"
Then. putting the fingers of each hand to
his closed eyes, he slowly bowed his head,
repeating the words, Once | was blind"
Standing IN this position for a moment,
he suddenly opened his hands outward
with a full flowing gesture OF his arms
above, his eyes were simultaneously
opened, his head thrown back, and. in an
attitude of radiant ~joyousness, he reached
the climax with a wonderful rendition of
the sentence: Now / seel'
The repetition and action naturally
compelled in every nearer a thoughtful
analysis of this
"UNANswERABLE PROPOSITION"
by implication. | believe, regarding the
man, that it is this union of the delicate
lights and shades of a perfect conversa
tional style, with splendid, powerful and
direct eloquence that makes his pulpit eff
forts intellectually and spiritually fascin-
atlng and impressive to such a wonderful
degree.
In his teaching DR.. Parker leans to
mercy always, and is broad, reasonable
and generous; and yet when a principle of
conviction is involved, he rises to
a most majestic personality, hurting forth
iucontrovertible truths in an irresistible and
overwhelming manner. | heard him de,
clare that "a Christ of all ge~ntleness could
never save the world and again, that
he Is the slave who would not be found
in the right with two or three" He
conducts three services each week, preach
ing morning and evening every Sunday.
and every Thursday at noon. At both
the Sunday services, the aisles are com
pactly filled with people seated upon
camp stools, and the standing room is all
occupied. | believe one reason why these
services at the City Temple are so popu.
lar, and this is a little item which our
American clergymen might
PONDER OVER WITH PROFIT,
is that they are absolutely and invariably
limited to one hours time. This includes
the entire service, and have never heard a
greater number of grand and impressive
truths expressed in so short and simple
words in the few minutes occupied by the
same.
OF all the churches in London the
Thursday noon service is exclusively a
feature of the City Temple work. 1t be
gins promptly at noon, and you will see
hundreds upon hundreds of clerks and
business men hurrying from their differ
ent occupations towards the Temple,
many OF them Joining their wives and
families at its doors. The sermon is
practically a
sERMoN FOR THE PEOPLE,
for the common people" who strive and
labor in London. In a discourse at one
of these services, which | attended, DR..
Parker said: IF there be any OF you
who nave no need of these simple truths,
and would like to go faster and farther
than we, stop a bit for us. There are
those that need your help; and while you
stop and wait, just prayl'
No series of r~evivals are ever held in
DR.. Parker's church; but there is little
doubt that these Thursday noon services
are productive of greater and more lasting
good, coming, as they do, with spiritual
rest and refreshment in the middle of the
busy week, in the midst of b%urdensome
duties, to the hard-worked, and often
sorelY tried. business man and toiler. Up
ward of 500 of these midday services
have already been held, and there is no
dimunition Of interest. Indeed, if one
can Judge from the fame in which the
meetings are held through common
report in all England, as well as from
the
TREMENDOUS CROWDS IN ATTENDANCE,
this mid day and mid-week service would
seem to comprehend the first and fore
most single religious work anywhere in
Great Britain.
His ability for and willingness to labor
are most extraordinary. Besides his
arduous duties for his church, he has
written a good deal, and is an author of
recognized ability. His income is
largely increased by his pen, and
he has a certain canny thrift
ness which stands him in good
stead. His work is always in demand
by the quarterlies, monthlies and leading
religious publications; it commands a very